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Bollywood star praises Dubai as film location
Dubai is increasingly becoming the location of choice for many Indian film-makers, according to Anil Kapoor.The veteran Bollywood star spoke to 7 Days in Dubai during a promotional visit in support of forthcoming movie Shootout at Wadala, in which he stars alongside the likes of John Abraham, Kangna Ranaut and Manoj Bajpai.Kapoor, known for his roles in Slumdog Millionaire and Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, said Dubai has become “the place to be” for Bollywood directors and actors, due to the city's impressive locations and futuristic architecture.”I think Dubai is a very cinema-friendly city with some great locations and structures,” said the 53-year-old actor, adding that he considers it to be “a city of the future”.Parts of Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol were filmed in Dubai, with Kapoor also shooting scenes in the city for the 2007 Bollywood comedy Welcome and the 2008 suspense thriller Race.Kapoor's co-star Bajpai added that as well as simply providing a location for shooting, Dubai could itself be the subject of future films by India's leading directors.”If you put all the A-rank directors here and ask them to make a film on Dubai, believe me they will make fantastic films … like about the city, about the relationship and situations between the locals and migrants,” he explained.”Bollywood is evolving to satisfy the creative appetite of the audience.”The growing Dubai movie industry is celebrated at the annual Dubai International Film Festival, which is due to return for its tenth edition from December 6th to 14th this year. Founded in 2004, the event is now the leading film festival in the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Last year's edition featured the screening of 158 movies, while numerous directors and industry figures were recognised for their achievements. Continue reading
‘Summer is Dubai’ tourism campaign to launch
A new campaign to promote Dubai as the ultimate summer holiday destination for families is due to go live on June 7th.Running until early September, the 'Summer is Dubai' campaign will aim to attract millions of visitors to the emirate by highlighting its many hotels, leisure facilities, transport networks, activities and family-friendly attractions.A number of special offers and promotions will be available to holidaymakers during the three-month period, including discounted accommodation for families and free admission for children at various attractions around the city.Helal Saeed Almarri, director general of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, explained that the campaign will form part of Dubai's drive to double annual visitor numbers to 20 million by 2020.”We have seen visitor numbers rise in recent summers and are confident of a record-breaking season ahead of us with more events, attractions and value for money than ever before,” he added.The tourism boss went on to say that Dubai's “world-class infrastructure, facilities and services” and “unique attractions” make it ideal for visiting families from the United Arab Emirates and around the world.Key events taking place in the emirate over the summer include Dubai Rock Fest on June 7th and Dubai Summer Surprises, which is due to return for its 16th edition from June 14th to July 14th.This festival celebrates Dubai's world renowned shopping facilities, with more than 6,000 stores expected to participate and plenty of promotions available for bargain-hunters. Many of the shopping malls also host live shows and special entertainment programmes for children during the five-week event.People visiting the UAE this summer will also have the opportunity to see how Dubai's residents celebrate the religious festivals of Ramadan and Eid. Continue reading
Dubai property enjoys strong first quarter
The total value of real estate transactions in Dubai increased by 63 per cent year on year in the first quarter of 2013, according to new figures.Data released by the Dubai Land Department (DLD) showed that 223 property deals per day – or 32 per hour – were registered during the three months to the end of March.This means a total of 14,260 transactions were carried out by the emirate's property buyers and sellers in the first quarter, placing the total value of deals at AED 44 billion (£7.7 billion).Sultan bin Mejren, director general of the DLD, described the figures as “an important indicator of the solid growth and performance of the real estate market, which has the backing of government to increase confidence among a number of national, regional and international investors”.He added that the emirate's property market “saw an impressive high in the first quarter, with the number of transactions soaring in the residential and commercial sector”.Mr Bin Mejren said he believes property prices will continue to rise on the back of increasing demand for land, villas and apartments in Dubai, with more investors expected to enter the market this year.The DLD figures were published shortly after a report from Deutsche Bank revealed that prices rose for the 16th consecutive month in March, jumping by 1.5 per cent on the previous month.Speaking last week, Standard Chartered's global head of macroeconomic research Marios Maratheftis said the fundamentals are now in place for solid and sustainable growth in the Dubai property market.He explained that the “rapid loan growth” that characterised the ill-fated real estate boom of a few years ago is absent this time.”It looks like it is fundamentals-driven market now which is dominated by true investors and by end users … It is a healthy and sustainable rally in the housing market,” Mr Maratheftis said.The First Group can help you find apartments for sale in Dubai Continue reading
